Any legal issues I should be aware of in this situation? 

Whatever is closest to "Legal". 

There is no law against a verbal agreement for something like that and since you had a documented relationship with the tenant that answer would have to be considered possible. 2.

Signing the lease demonstrates they agree to the terms and then you can hold them accountable.If you don't do this, then the person named on the lease and paying the rent could disappear and you would have no legal authority to charge the remaining three for unpaid rent.

In 30+ years we've been sued 1x (legal blackmail over a tenant's drunken trip/fall) which the insurance company settled for $1,500.00).We've been using some privacy tactics to keep our names off the county recorder and the target off our backs.Further, we review our insurance coverage and premium annually, just to keep on top of any changes.As with all insurance, it seems to be a waste of money... until you NEED it!

LLC offers better legal protection.3) Setting up in states that allow your identity to be hid is also overblown.

I will preface this with the fact that I have a legal background, specifically with estate planning and asset protection.

** This is part 6 of me documenting my fun and often stressful real estate journeyThe nightmare is finally over.Today I close on my second flip ending what will hopefully be the roughest period of my investing journey.

Owner ended up settling with the tenant, but then we had to threaten to sue our own client to get them to pay our legal fees.- Owner must sign a Hold Harmless to indemnify us against any potential tenant lawsuits relating to the work their contractor is doing.--- Another lawsuit resulted from owner's contractor taking down basement handrail to get supplies down the steps, then they didn't put it back and tenant fell down the stairs.- We also negotiate a reasonable completion date, depending on the Scope Of Work (SOW). --- Who gets all the phone calls and wastes time calming a tenant down because the owner's contractor doesn't show up as scheduled after they took time off from work or a 3 day job takes 3 weeks?

CPAs often advise against pursuing this designation unless the time commitment and documentation are robust, as failing to qualify can result in IRS audits or penalties.The 500-hour rule pertains to material participation in specific real estate activities or businesses.